Chapter 51: 51: In The Banquet
"I’ve read through here and I know what happens. They weren’t present. So I won’t be meeting any of them" Eden smiled.
"Is that so?" Lenny titled his head "Then I hope it remains so"
"Don’t worry. It will. All I have to do is get there and create a situation to bond well with prince Lysander while also pulling Elvis in"
"You seem like you’re enjoying this" Lenny observed.
Eden shrugged "I guess so. It’s what I do best"
"Just be careful not to actually fall for any of them. Things would actually get more complicating then"
Eden laughed "Don’t worry about me. I’ve been doing this for ages now so I know what to do. I won’t fall that easily" he assured.
"But you also took a break. A year’s break" Lenny pointed out.
Eden paused, a cloth in his hand "Well. I guess that’s all in the past. I have to be back to my old self if I wish to survive. I can do it" He smiled as he continued going through the clothes.
Eden was finally done selecting the perfect one. A blue top with golden ornaments on it and black trousers. He looked Royal.
"This will do" Eden said standing before the full-length mirror.
"Now you should find a way to leave here I suppose. The guards are outside" Lenny informed.
"Don’t worry, I’ll use the window" Eden smiled.
"While wearing that? Isn’t that too fancy to jump off the window in?" Lenny questioned.
Eden thought "That’s the only option" Eden said.
"And I also think you should put on a mask" Lenny suggested "So they don’t recognise you. That would cause some trouble for sure. The nobles would be there"
"But, that would mean hiding my pretty face.." Eden said.
Lenny blinked "Do you think you’ll last in there for a second if they know who you are? Elvis won’t let you in"
Eden nodded "I guess you’re right" Eden got out a golden masquerade ball mask and put it over his eyes. "That should do. Now to get going. The banquet has already started"
*****
The palace was lively that night with the celebration sound from the banquet filling the atmosphere.
Soft music filled the banquet hall, creeping outside into the atmosphere. The soft laughter and chatter from within soothed the everywhere as well.
Nobles filled the room while some loitered outside, enjoying the banquet held in the name of prince Lysander.
Eden had finally gotten out of his room. He knew his chances of making it through the main entrance was slim. The guards would never let him in. He had no invitation.
So he had to find another way in. And he did.
Eden sneaked through the palace hallway. Finding his way into the banquet hall within the palace. Soon, he was in the banquet hall.
Eden smiled, adjusting his mask while looking around the bustling ballroom. It was lively and fun. There were more people in attendance compared to those who came for the first banquet.
He guessed they went all out for this one. Probably because it’s for prince Lysander. Queen Lea had probably aimed for something grand like this.
"Now to look for prince Lysander..." Eden mumbled as he looked around the room, hoping to see Lysander.
After a while, he did see him. He found prince Lysander standing at a distance. But he figured he couldn’t approach him.
He wasn’t standing alone. He was standing in the company of The King, Queen Lea and some high ranking nobles.
He sighed "It’s going to be hard to meet him I guess"
Eden watched as Queen lea tried getting along with the nobles there. Probably to get some connections for his son who didn’t seem to care.
He stood by the table side, checking out the different drinks on the table. It was his way of passing time while waiting for Lysander to be free.
It took time, but Prince Lysander was finally free.
He had excused himself from them while he made his way to get some drinks from a table.
Eden smiled "Perfect"
Eden made his way towards him. Brushing through people while heading to meet Lysander.
He was almost there. Almost getting to Prince Lysander when suddenly someone grabbed him by the hands.
Eden was shocked to find himself getting pulled away by someone who he didn’t know.
He only drew backwards while watching Prince Lysander grabbing drinks from the table.
Eden then immediately turned to see who had pulled him, stunned to see Elvis.
"You.. what..."
Elvis held him tight on his wrist while glaring into his eyes "I thought I was seeing things, but I guess I was right. It really was you"
Eden looked around, adjusting his mask "I don’t know what you’re talking about. Who are you.. why are you harassing a stranger here.."
"Quit the act. I know it’s you" Elvis said firmly.
Eden figured he was busted. "Well I..." he looked around, adjusting his mask.
"What the hell are you doing here? What else do you want to do now? What are you planning by approaching prince Lysander?"
"I’m not plotting anything, I’m just going to greet him"
"Greet him? And why would you do that?"
"Because we’re friends" Eden firmly said.
"Friends? Since when?" Elvis didn’t seem to buy what he had claimed.
"I don’t think I need to explain that to you" Eden said as he turned to look in Lysander’s direction "Just go about your business and pretend as if you didn’t see me"
"How can I do that when you’re definitely out to mess things up for me?" He questioned, his hands still gripping tight on Eden’s wrist.
Eden wiggled his wrist to set himself free from his grip "I promise I won’t cause any problem. So let me off"
Elvis wasn’t letting him go.
Eden’s eyes were on Lysander who was sipping his drink from the glass in his hand. He was worried that he’d leave soon.
But before Eden could even break free from Elvis’s grip, something worse than his worries happened.
Eden watched as Lysander’s eyes moved in the direction of the King and Queen.
He followed Lysander’s eyes to meet the king and queen who were still with the nobles.
But they weren’t the only ones there now. Two other male figures had joined them.
The Grand Duke of Enor, Leo. And the Grand Marquis of Avalon, Adrian.